The Sunni unrest has been greatest in Anbar, the largest province in
Iraq. Sunni factions have demanded the expulsion of the Iraqi Islamic Party
from Anbar, Middle East Newsline reported. The party is the largest Sunni political movement and a member
of Al Maliki's coalition.
The U.S. military has become increasingly reliant on the Sunni tribes in
Anbar. The tribes have been responsible for the formation of the Iraqi
auxiliary police force, termed Awakening Councils.
The Sunni unrest was reported as Al Qaida has sought to return to Anbar
after being expelled from the province in 2007. The U.S. military has been
paying
tens of thousands of Sunnis to locate and target Al Qaida agents and
strongholds in Anbar.
Sheik Ahmed Abu Risha, part of the Duleimi tribe that dominates Anbar,
was deemed a top tribal figure. Ali Hatam Al Suleiman and Hamid Farhan Al
Hayis were also identified as key tribal leaders.
The dispute between the tribal leaders and IIP erupted in February when
the Iraqi parliament passed the provincial election law. The tribal leaders,
expecting an election within months, protested the law and IIP's control of
government posts as well as the electoral commission.
The sheiks gave IIP 30 days to leave Anbar. In response, the Council of
Judiciary issued an arrest warrant against Al Hayis and Al Suleiman. Abu
Risha has sought to avoid the showdown.
Analysts said the confrontation could lead to war within the Sunni
community. They said this would enable the return of Al Qaida in Anbar.
"The deterioration at any level of the security situation in Al Anbar
gives a precious opportunity to Al Qaida in Iraq to regain its bases in the
province and overturn the gains of the so far successful surge strategy,"
Ali said.
